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Itinerary for November 2012
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2012/10/12 22:01
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Hi All,
I will be going to Japan with my wife at the end of November, and having done quite a bit of research with the resources available on this site, wanted to see if the following itinerary I've put together is going to be realistic or not?
We will be staying in a hotel near Shin-Osaka station for when we initially arrive, and then in a hotel near Asakusa when we get to Tokyo. Any comments would be appreciated.
Day 1 (21st Nov)
Arrive at Kansai International Airport (15:35)
Travel to Osaka and check in
Spend evening in Namba/Dotoburi area
Day 2 (22nd Nov)
Morning (08:30-ish start)
Travel to Inari
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Tofukuji Temple
Afternoon (around 13:00)
Kiyomizudera and surrounding area (including Ninnenzaka and Sannenzaka)
Kodaiji
Heian Shrine
Ginkakuji
Evening (around 17:00)
Gion
Eikando Temple Fall Illumination
Day 3 (23rd Nov)
Morning (08:30-ish start)
Head to Arashiyama
We intend to rent bikes to travel around whilst we're here
Togetsukyo Bridge
Tenryuji
Bamboo Grove
Adashino Nenbutsuji
Afternoon (around 13:00)
Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
Otagi Nenbutsuji
Ryoanji
Kinkakuji
Day 4 (24th Nov)
We may rent bikes again to travel around the city as I think these sites are spaced fairly far apart
Nijo Castle
Imperial Palace
Nishiki Market
Pontocho
Day 5 (25th Nov)
Maybe Osaka Castle?
Travel from Kyoto to Tokyo (Shinkansen)
Check into hotel
Spend early evening in Akihabara
Day 6 (26th Nov)
Sensoji
Studio Ghibli Museum - have already booked this so can't really change it
Yoyogi Park
Meiji Shrine
Shopping in Harujuku/Shibuya area
Day 7 (27th Nov)
Disneyland
Day 8 (28th Nov)
Tsukiji Fish Market - we're unlikely to arrive for the Tuna auction, but hope to be here at 08:00 for the wholesale market
Edo Tokyo Museum
Sumida River Cruise
Odaiba (specifically to see the Gundam Front museum, but also shopping in the area)
Day 9 (29th Nov)
Imperial Palace & East Gardens
Tokyo Tower
Fly out from Narita Airport (17:25)
Many Thanks in advance for your time and suggestions.
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by mhliu (guest)
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Re: Itinerary for November 2012
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2012/10/13 06:58
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I'd move the Senso-ji visit from day 6 to day 8 and then get the Sumida River cruise from Asakusa to Odaiba....
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by John B digs Japan
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Re: Itinerary for November 2012
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2012/10/13 07:10
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I went to Tofukuji in autumn foliage and it reminded me of Shinjuku station in rush hour, by far the most crowded temple I experienced ever. So you might in fact need more time here than you'd expect. Afternoon of day 2 looks like too much or too spread out to me. I'd do Kiyomizudera to Ginkakuji in one full day, but not in 4 hours. Day 4: Unlike the other days, this one is rather relaxed. Pontocho can be done in the evening (after 5pm) and the Imperial Palace only takes one hour. Personally I was not too impressed by Nishiki Market. Day 7: I'd skip this, unless you enjoy queueing. Concerning the last days of your trip you should read: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2276.htmland make sure that everything you want to do is possible. Some places like Tokyo Tower might in fact be closed. Day 9: None of this would be high priority for me, but tastes differ.
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by Jensij
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Re: Itinerary for November 2012
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2012/10/13 07:23
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Re day 2;
The problem you have is Eikando is your LAST item, and Fushimi Inari is south of it, and Ginkakuji is north of it.
So there's no way to avoid double crossing your path. It's roughly 3.5km walk from Kiyomizudera to Eikando.
You could possibly end the day "Ginkakuji, Walk Philospher's Path, Eikando @ 6pm for night illumination, Gion for dinner".
Re day 4;
Looks a bit light. You could add/move somes stuff from Day 2 to here.
Do you have a booking for the Imperial Palace?
this is my suggestion, but I'm not 100% happy with it;
Day 2 (22nd Nov)
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Tofukuji Temple
Train from Tofukuji to Demachiyanagi
Bus/taxi/walk to Ginkakuji
Walk Philospher's Path
Heian Shrine
Nanzenji
Eikando Temple Fall Illumination
Pontocho or Gion for dinner
Day 3 (23rd Nov)
No change, but you could see a night illumination here, or perhaps Ponto-cho/Gion
NB: this day is a national holiday, and will be very busy.
Day 4 (24th Nov)
Nijo Castle
Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace Park
Nishiki Market (1.2km from southern end of Imperial Palace Park)
Kodaiji (1.5km from Nishiki)
Kiyomizudera and surrounding area (including Ninnenzaka and Sannenzaka)
Pontocho or Gion for dinner
just my $0.02
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by ausmomo
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Re: Itinerary for November 2012
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2012/10/13 18:40
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Thanks for the feedback guys,
I'd move the Senso-ji visit from day 6 to day 8 and then get the Sumida River cruise from Asakusa to Odaiba....
I didn't realise this and it makes sense - I guess considering we were staying in Asakusa the thought didn't really cross me as I thought we could stop by first thing on any given day whilst in Tokyo.
I went to Tofukuji in autumn foliage and it reminded me of Shinjuku station in rush hour, by far the most crowded temple I experienced ever. So you might in fact need more time here than you'd expect.
Indeed - I'm quite worried by this as well - unfortunately, when I booked the trip I didn't realise it was going to around a national holiday...
Afternoon of day 2 looks like too much or too spread out to me. I'd do Kiyomizudera to Ginkakuji in one full day, but not in 4 hours.
Re day 4;
Looks a bit light. You could add/move somes stuff from Day 2 to here.
Indeed - this is the part I was concerned about as I wasn't sure how much could be covered in an afternoon - consequently as you both say, day 4 is more relaxed as the intention was we would visit any places we may have missed on the first two days.
It would seem that Day 2 may be too ambitious... potentially it may be worth stopping after visiting Kodaiiji, and visit Heian Shrine and Ginkakuji on the 4th day after the Imperial Palace Park or Nishiki Market?
Day 7: I'd skip this, unless you enjoy queueing.
It's kind of a thing... again, didn't realise it was going to be around a National holiday.
Do you have a booking for the Imperial Palace?
My intention was to only be in the Palace Park, as I think the general view is that the Imperial Palace tour is a bit too long?
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by mhliu (guest)
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Re: Itinerary for November 2012
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2012/10/14 04:06
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My intention was to only be in the Palace Park, as I think the general view is that the Imperial Palace tour is a bit too long?
My view is that the both, the Park (Imperial Palace East Gardens) and the tour are boring. If going to the Imperial Palace all I'd do is having a look at Nijubashi and at one or two of the gates.
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by Jensij
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